Daily Dose: March 13, 2013

Hot headlines to like and dislike—along with a few that might make you raise an eyebrow

Daily Dose: March 13, 2013Hot headlines to like and dislike—along with a few that might make you raise an eyebrow

Like:

Your last excuse for smoking just went out the window: New research confirms that the health drawbacks of a little post-cessation weight gain are trivial compared to the benefits of kicking a cigarette habit. [U.S. News]

Now that the European Union has banned the sale of animal-tested cosmetics, celebs like Ke$ha and Colbie Caillat are pressuring the U.S. to do the same. [USAT]

Who needs a sugary drink ban? Americans now consume more water than soda. [AP]

Dislike:

Feeling burnt out at work makes you nearly 80 percent more likely to suffer from heart disease—and those who are the most burnt out face the highest risk. [The Atlantic]

Use your head—but not too much. Suffering just one concussion can affect brain regions that are vital for memory, executive function, and mood regulation, according to a new study published online in the journal Radiology. [LA Times]

The U.S. is hoarding a new smallpox medicine—enough to treat two million people. You know, just in case terrorists re-engineer the virus in a lab and unleash it on America. [NYT]

Skeptical:

A study from the University of California Riverside claims that sleeping pills can actually improve your memory. Not that being able to remember things is very useful when you’re zonked out. [Daily Mail]

If your man’s not exactly four years and four months older than you, you might want to dump him: A new survey finds that’s the ideal age gap for couples. [Telegraph]

Watch out for 9-month-old babies: Infants enjoy seeing others who are unlike them suffer, according to recent research out of the University of British Colombia. [International Business Times]